To Punch Shape into Sheet Metal Face

The punch tool must have a sketch with a single centermark defined. The sheet metal face must have a sketch with one or more unconsumed center marks.

The punch tool must have a sketch with a single center mark defined. The sheet metal face must have a sketch with one or more unconsumed center marks.

The punched shape must be a solid feature. However, punch tools can define alternative sketch representations that you can display when you view the sheet metal part as a flat pattern.

1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Modify panel Punch Tool .
2. In the Punch Tool Directory dialog box, browse to a folder containing punch shapes, and click a punch shape.

   The dialog box shows a preview of the selected punch shape.

3. Click Open to select the punch shape.

   The Punch Tool Directory dialog box closes, and the Punch Tool dialog box opens.

4. Optionally, select any of the following:
   • Across Bend Select to apply the punch across a bend.
   • Unfold in Flat Pattern Select to unfold certain types of punch features.
     Important:

     • Unfolding is limited to iFeatures that can be unfolded if they were created as normal sheet metal features. Deformed shapes, such as stamped bosses and louvers, cannot be unfolded.
     • To use this option, it must be checked in the Extract iFeature create dialog when you create it, and the PunchTool insert dialog.
5. Optionally select any of the following Flat Pattern Overrides:
   • Show Formed Punch Feature
   • Show Sketch Representation
     Note: The Sheet Metal Punch iFeature must be defined with a simplified sketch representation in order to use this option.
   • Show Center Mark

   If you enable Flat Pattern Overrides, you can also select Ignore Flat Pattern Overrides in the Punch Representation tab of the Flat Pattern edit dialog.

6. In the graphics area, if more than one center point exists in your sketch, hold down CTRL as you click any locations where you do not want punch placements.
   Note: To realign the model for easier selection, use View Face on the View tab.
7. On the Geometry tab, specify an angle to rotate the punch relative to the face (if necessary).
8. If there is unresolved geometry listed, select the condition from the dialog box list. Then click the sheet metal face, and use appropriate commands to resolve.
9. On the Size tab, double-click a parameter value to change it, if necessary.
10. Click Finish to punch the shape into the sheet metal face.